to dump
Pronunciation
/dʌmp/

Definition & Meaning of "dump"in English

to dump
01

to get rid of waste material, particularly in an unorganized manner

Transitive: to dump waste
to dump definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
dump
3rd person singular
dumps
Present participle
dumping
Past simple
dumped
Past participle
dumped
Examples
Instead of recycling, some businesses opt to dump electronic waste in landfills.
02

to end a relationship that one was romantically involved in, often in a way that is unexpected or unfair

Transitive: to dump one's partner
Informal

What does "to dump" mean in relationship slang?

The verb "to dump" means to end a romantic relationship by breaking up with someone, usually in a direct or unilateral way. The structure uses "dump" to imply discarding or removing a partner from a relationship. It is informal and often sounds abrupt or emotionally insensitive. The term has been common in English slang for decades and is widely used in everyday conversation about breakups.

Examples
After months of dating, Sarah was shocked when her boyfriend suddenly decided to dump her via text message.
03

to knock down or defeat someone

Transitive: to dump an opponent
Examples
He dumped his opponent in the final round of the match with a quick move.
04

to place something down in a rough, careless, or abrupt manner

Transitive: to dump sth somewhere
Examples
He dumped his bag on the floor and sat down at the table.
05

to fall or drop suddenly

Intransitive: to dump somewhere
Examples
The car dumped into the ditch after the driver lost control on the icy road.
06

to export goods that are difficult to sell domestically by selling them at a lower price

Transitive: to dump products
Examples
The company decided to dump its excess stock in overseas markets to clear space.
Dump
01

a location where materials or supplies are stored for later use

Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
dumps
Examples
The relief effort set up a central dump for blankets, water, and medical kits.
02

a snapshot or copy of a computer's storage contents, typically used for analysis or backup

Examples
After the crash, the developer examined the core dump to pinpoint the bug.
03

a designated site where garbage and refuse are deposited and often processed

Examples
They hauled the old sofa to the city dump early Saturday morning.
04

the act of excreting feces

Slang
Vulgar

What is the origin of the term "dump" and how is it used?

Dump is a slang term that appeared in English in the 19th–20th century to refer to the act of excreting feces. It likely comes from the basic meaning of "dump" as to drop or unload something, applied metaphorically to the body's waste. Historically, it was informal and crude, used in everyday or joking speech. Today it remains colloquial and vulgar, mainly appearing in casual, humorous, or blunt contexts rather than polite or medical conversation.

Examples
Hikers are taught to carry a small shovel so they can bury their dump off trail.
05

(volleyball) an unexpected hit by the setter over the net instead of setting it to a teammate

What is a "dump"?

A dump in volleyball is when the setter, instead of passing the ball to a teammate, quickly pushes or tips the ball over the net themselves to catch the opposing team off guard. The setter often uses a dump when the other team is expecting a pass or set to a hitter, making it harder for the defenders to block or return the ball. A successful dump requires good timing and the ability to deceive the opposing team into thinking a regular set is coming.

Examples
The setter scored with a clever dump.
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